SEEA as a framework for assessing policy responses to climate change Prepared for the UNCEEA meeting Sjoerd Schenau and Mark de Haan Statistics Netherlands

Content Climate change and the economy Climate change policy issues and SEEA SEEA applications for mitigation SEEA applications for adaptation Conclusions

On agriculture, water supply, health sector etc. the DPSIR framework Increased production, transportation Increased demand for energy etc. Greenhouse gas emissions GHG concentrations Climate variables etc. Mitigation Adaptation On agriculture, water supply, health sector etc.

Climate change policies issues and SEEA To what extent is human induced climate change actually taking place ? Can SEEA be used ?  NO ! 2. What actions need to be taken to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gasses ? Can SEEA be used  Yes ! 3. What actions need to be taken to deal with the consequences of global warming and minimize the impacts ?

Climate change in Volume III of SEEA One of the central issues in Volume III Focus on applications for mitigation and adaptation policies Examples of answers to direct policy questions

SEEA applications for mitigation policies Understanding the drivers of climate change Monitoring and analysis energy saving and renewable energy Monitoring policy instruments for mitigation Determination and analysis of costs and benefits of mitigation policies

Are the production induced GHG emissions decoupling with respect to economic growth ? Index 1990=100

How can the change in GHG emissions over time be explained ?

What is the national carbon footprint ?   Total GHGs CO2 CH4 N2O Mton CO2-equivalenten 1. Emissions attributed to import 227 157 53 18 2. Emissions attributed to export 181 147 12 21 3. The environmental balance of trade = 2-1 - 47 - 10 - 42 3 4. Net emissions by residents 236 201 17 16 5. Environmental consumption (national carbon footprint) = 4-3 283 212 59 13 GHG balance of trade (2007)

What is the share of renewable energy in the total energy consumption ?

Taxes on energy and transport: to what extent does the ‘polluter pay principle’ apply ?

How much are mitigating activities contributing to economic growth ?

SEEA applications for adaptation policies Assessing the impacts of climate change Monitoring and analysis of policy instruments for adaptation Determination and analysis of costs and benefits of adaptation policies

What is the potential economic impact of a sea level rise ?

Expenditures on the maintenance of dikes and seawalls How much does a government spend on climate change adaptation measures ? Expenditures on the maintenance of dikes and seawalls

Conclusions The SEEA, together with the SNA and related satellite accounts, has the potential to bring together in one consistent analytical framework all relevant information with regard to the relationships between the economy and climate change, that can be used for climate change assessment, policy and decision making. SEEA as an integrated framework is particularly suitable to asses the policy responses to climate change. It provides all the essential information to monitor, understand and analyse the relation between the economy and climate change essential for developing both mitigation and adaptation strategies.